Support Rusty's Fight for Survival

On Friday, May 2, at approximately 10 pm, Rusty & his brother Mason were taking their last outdoor walk for the evening with mom & dad when something caught their attention, causing them to bolt. Despite hours of calling into the abyss for them, there was no response. Mason returned the following morning after an encounter with a porcupine, which required medical intervention. Rusty, however, did not return.

After nearly a week of daily exhaustive foot searches of the remote area he disappeared in, we were advised to contact Skywatch Drone Rescue and Recovery. On the morning of the 7th day that Rusty had been missing, CJ, the drone owner/operator, was able to immediately locate him through his thermal imaging drone. After driving to an appropriate access point and hiking 1/2 mile into the woods, we were able to successfully rescue Rusty and rush him to Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital for intensive treatment. He had spent 1 week isolated in the woods in severe weather with serious injuries due to the same porcupine encounter that Mason was treated for 6 days prior. He was in medical shock and hours from certain death when we finally located him.

Rusty's wounds are critical. His body is riddled with infection. He has already had 1 surgery to remove as many quills as the limited time under anesthesia would allow. He still has deeply embedded quills located dangerously close to the jugular vein in his neck as well as others near vessels in his leg. Rusty desperately needs medical imaging that will cost approximately $5,000 in addition to a second surgery to remove the remaining quills. He will require extensive follow-up care as well as costly prescriptions moving forward. He has multiple surgical sites from his first surgery, which required staples to close the wounds. Those staples will need to be removed in 10-14 days. His first hospital stay was nearly $4,000. Please help us give Rusty a fighting chance. He has already shown us that he desperately wants to live. Rusty has youth, strength, and an unbridled spirit on his side already! Any donation amount or even a social media share is greatly appreciated. Thank you.